298 EUROPE: A GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEY

Situation.—The position of Belgium is such as to make it a transi-
tion area both politically and geographically. Its boundaries are not
well marked either physically or ethnically. The large rivers of the
country both rise and empty beyond its frontiers, and it is crossed by
the great east and west trade routes which follow the European plain.
Adjoining it are such active countries as France and Germany, while
across the narrow sea lies the mouth of the Thames and England.
These states provide Belgium with important markets and sources of
raw materials, thus materially stimulating its economic life. They
have also frequently dominated the nation politically and have con-
tributed many cultural elements.

The frontiers of the nation well illustrate its transitional character.
The southern frontier lacks any physical barriers and is the historical
result of the struggle between France and Spain. As the result of
numerous wars, France extended its borders toward the north, incor-
porating Lille, Valenciennes and other portions of the Spanish Nether-
lands. Toward the east the frontiers are again the result of historical
struggles, and in this direction Belgium made small gains following
the World War. It secured from Germany territories around Eupen,
Malmedy and Moresnet which have a combined area of 382 square
miles and a population of some 64,000. These were taken with the
avowed purpose of strengthening the eastern frontiers from a military
point of view. The northern boundary follows a line of sparse popula-
tion through the Campine and Limberg regions, and is the result of the
struggle between the Dutch and the Belgians in 1830. The Dutch were
successful in confining the Belgians to a strip of coast line which is of
little value, and in retaining possession of both banks of the Scheldt.
This has been a serious handicap, as the proper maintenance of naviga-
tion on that river is essential to the success of the port of Anvers.

Without natural frontiers and located in the midst of the most
powerful nations of the continent, Belgium has been a battle ground
since the dawn of European history. Waterloo, Ramillies, Ouclenarde
and Jemappes were the scenes of some of the most notable struggles
of the past, and the World War added many new battle fields. Lying
largely in the European plain, Belgium provides the least obstructed
pathway for armies passing between France and Germany. Its prox^
imity to England likewise makes it a natural center of activity in case
of warfare between that country and either of the major continental
powers. Since neutrality agreements are likely to be disregarded by any
great state which feels its safety seriously menaced, the future peace of
Belgium will depend upon peace between its powerful neighbors.